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Bill Smith

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Posts posted by Bill Smith

    Any Thoughts on Using This For An Aquarium Cover?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Quote

    I was planning on taping over the open edges to keep water and algae etc out. Have picked a tape yet. Any recommendations on tape that will stay stuck and make a good seal? I was toying with the idea of electrical tape, but it might be toxic over time.

    I have found clear packing tape sticks perfectly well if you lay it flat. For edges, I wrap it around and then use a flat layer on top and bottom secure it down. It's nearly invisible and lets the maximum amount of light come through. Take your time, do it neatly.

    Aquarium Racks

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Yes, until last month, when I took the tanks down out of boredom, they worked great on that same rack!

    I found that two small tanks on a shelf caused it to sag, as opposed to the one long tank, which doesn't. So for the shelf that had a couple smaller tanks, I put a cheap $10 bookshelf board on it to distribute the weight. That made all the difference. If you look closely at my original pic on this thread, you can see the bottom shelf has a black bookshelf board underneath the two 5-gallon tanks. I like the bookshelf boards because they come cheap, finished, and ready to use!

    I still highly recommend this rack for multiple 20-longs. But yes, I do feel that not using at least a top, bottom, and one middle shelf compromises the stability and integrity of the rack.

    Bill

    • Like 1

    What's your dream aquarium product that doesn’t exist?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 12/11/2021 at 6:49 PM, Jeff said:

    Something that can put a colored background on a tank that isn't paint or something you tape on.

    I've tried both, and there's gotta be something that's better. I don't like taping something on - as tape doesn't stick forever. With paint, you always see the brush strokes. 

    I want something that I can DIY to make the background of my tank black...to look like the manufacturer did it. 

    I use this window blackout film. It works great!

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077XWJKQZ

    You simply cut it to size, wet the back of the tank, lay it on, and squeegee it with a credit card. It dries stuck to the glass, yet removes easily.

    • Like 2

    What's your dream aquarium product that doesn’t exist?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 8/27/2021 at 11:03 AM, Vanessa K said:

    Maybe it already exists (please tell me where I can find it if it does). When I do water changes on my preliminary tiny aquarium, I use the "old" method; I start the procedure by sucking the hose and let the water flow into a bucket. My problem is that my fish see my hand as "Jippie! Here comes the food hand!" And like retriever puppies they have no self-preservation what so ever. I try to scare them off but they keep getting too close the suction and end up the bucket and I have to catch them to return them into the aquarium.

    I bought a Python system but how on earth could I use it without condemning some fish to being flushed down the drain. It's ok for now carrying buckets but when I get my 120 Gallons that's not an option. Is there a solution to that already - otherwise that's a product I'd need.

    Many of the newer siphon hoses have a strainer where the wide tube connects to the flexible tube.

    I also have used a spare HOB filter strainer on the end of a hose to prevent fish from getting picked up.

    Ideas on chlorine filter / auto water changer

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 7/27/2021 at 8:59 PM, Ken said:

    Here's a good thread on what you're wanting to accomplish. He doesn't talk much about what it does to other components of the water though (GH/KH/pH) I'll bet if you tag him he'll elaborate.

    Sorry I missed this earlier!

    My method did not negatively affect my water. I have Southern California liquid rock and high pH that stays that way after being filtered.

    • Thanks 1

    Is this plastic aquarium safe?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In my experience (YMMV), I have put MANY MANY plastic toys in freshwater tanks, with no trouble at all.

    It is my opinion that even toxic plastics would seep so little as to negatively affect freshwater fish.

    In my case of the Star Wars tank, those two AT-STs are micro-machines, and I weathered them with acrylic paint. And that's 5 gallons of water, with no issues that I could trace back to poisoned water.

    It's marine tanks you have to watch for that kind of thing, because so many things deteriorate in saltwater.

    • Like 2

    What's your dream aquarium product that doesn’t exist?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 7/19/2021 at 9:10 PM, Ariel S said:

    That’s an awesome idea! But those are pretty small heaters? Like for small tanks? Or would that warm a 40gal

    I see them on Amazon at 200w, so be sure and measure your filter box to see if it fits. 

    Also, be sure never to let it run dry. That is a risk if the water level drops below the intake, so I sometimes layer the heater BELOW the final foam block in the filter.

    Still very workable!

    Bill

     

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Aquarium Racks

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 6/19/2021 at 11:57 AM, Gideyon said:

    I started researching this now.  This is now $55.   Amazing what a year and a pandemic can do to costs. 

    Are you able to remove the top shelf so the highest one is close to 36" high?    That's what I'm looking for.  

    The shelves can all be removed, but I don't recommend it. I think removing the top shelf would compromise the stability of the whole rack.

    But the positions of the middle shelves are adjustable, so you can give a tank more or less height below the top shelf.

    • Thanks 2

    Project "SUBARU": Installation of SIX 15-gallon planters as nano-ponds

    in Photos, Videos & Journals

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, Brandy said:

    @Bill Smith definitely set the tone for high end DIY!! It encouraged me to try more things and I have loved using his ideas as my MTS has advanced...I am grateful for the post-mortem, as I hope to have an outdoor pond set up perhaps this fall, or maybe next year.

    Guppies will be on the list, and platies also seem like a fantastic idea, but my ultimate goal is a year round white cloud and cherry shrimp pond, where I have been secretly dreaming of working with @WhitecloudDynasty's long finned golds. 

    Thank you for the kind words. I will try to live up to the hype. 😉

    I forgot to mention, I have long-finned gold white clouds in my 100g Rubbermaid stock tank, and I LOVE them. They stand out against the murk of the pond during the day, they grow HUGE if you auto-feed them, and they even developed a little rich reddish color in some of the bigger ones. I highly recommend those guys!

    • Like 4
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